The ASPHO Meeting

Abstract

Over the last decade, the American Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology (ASPHO) annual conference has become an educational and research meeting of choice for pediatric hematologist oncologists in North America. At the 2010 Montreal ASPHO meeting a combination of basic, translational, and clinical research as well as a timely update of clinical practice in both hematology and oncology were presented. From genetics and molecular mechanisms that define the pathophysiology of cancer and hematological disorders in children to the most current clinical care practices, the ASPHO meeting offered a variety of topics for the practicing hematologist oncologist. The 2010 Presidential Symposium focused on the role of pediatric hematologist/oncologist as educators in a rapidly changing academic environment. As a result of a very successful program and a set of superb speakers, the Program Committee, along with the ASPHO leadership, decided to partner with Pediatric Blood & Cancer to offer readers the “best” of the meeting. In this issue of PBC, three selected lectures from the 2010 meeting are presented as review articles. Perhaps, if successful, this will serve as a prelude to a future Education Program Supplement. In this issue of PBC, Dr. Smita Bathia, the 2010 Oski Memorial Lecturer, explores the many factors that influence cancer outcomes in children. Dr. Bathia discusses not only the socioeconomic factors that determine these outcomes, but also on the biology of disease and, particularly, on the pharmacogenetics that may predispose to increased toxicity. In the session and the article in this issue on approaches to improving outcomes for high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Dr. Hunger, Dr. Raetz, Dr. Loh, and Dr. Mulligan dissect the genetic and biological mechanisms that have allowed practitioners to predict relapse and have identified novel targets for treatment. From genomic profiling to new clinical trials, this article represents a state-of-the-art review of the recent advances in high-risk ALL. In the third contribution, Dr. Israels, Dr. Kahr, Dr. Blanchette, Dr. Luban, Dr. Rivard, and Dr. Rand present the complex issue of platelet disorders in children and offered great “clinical pearls” about genetic mechanisms and diagnostic paradigms. They present an excellent and useful algorithm for the diagnosis of these disorders. The three articles presented in this issue of PBC offer only a small fraction of the work presented at the 2010 ASPHO meeting. This year, from April 13 to 16 ASPHO will gather again in Baltimore to continue with our mission of promoting optimal care of children and adolescents with blood disorders and cancer by advancing research, education, treatment and professional practice. Hopefully, these excellent reviews will inspire many of the 2011 presenters to provide written articles for a similar venture with PBC next year. We invite the readers to offer suggestions as we consider opportunities to bring our members the best educational program possible for 2012 and beyond.